Brad Dixon, the do-it-all Head Football Coach, Track Coach, Strength Coordinator, and Athletic Director at Camp Point Central High School, has cracked the code on a summer schedule that maximizes results without burning out his players. In a small school of 220 students, where most athletes juggle multiple sports, Dixon’s streamlined, athlete-focused approach has turned his football program into a consistent winner—posting an 11–2 record in 2023 and reaching the Illinois 1A semifinals. Here’s how his purposeful, three-day summer schedule delivers, offering a model any coach can adapt.
The Framework: Do More with Less
Dixon’s summer calendar stands out for what it doesn’t include: no workouts on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, or Mondays. Instead, he runs a tight Tuesday–Thursday schedule, cutting from four days to three for a reason. His logic is grounded in reality:
- During the school year, his players train five days a week in athletic PE.
- Most athletes grind year-round—up to 47 weeks—across strength, performance training, and in-season practice.
- With that kind of consistency, three focused summer days are enough.
This approach reduces physical and mental fatigue, leaving room for recovery, family time, and other sports—crucial in a small school where multi-sport athletes are the norm. “It’s about respecting their time,” Dixon says.
Mini-Camps for Football Smarts
Instead of one grueling team camp, Dixon spreads football work across the summer with Wednesday “mini-camps.” These sessions hit the basics—terminology, alignments, formations—to onboard freshmen and refresh veterans without overloading them.
By July, he ramps up slightly, adding a few more football-specific dates. The total? Just 11 football sessions all summer, with only two in pads. It’s a lean approach that echoes Noah Riley’s “elegant simplicity” in offensive design, prioritizing quality over quantity.
Athlete-First Scheduling
Dixon’s schedule is built around his players’ lives. Workouts run mornings only (8:00–9:30 AM), freeing up evenings and weekends. He also syncs with other coaches—especially basketball—to avoid conflicts, fostering a true multi-sport culture. This mirrors Dan Quinn’s focus on player ownership, ensuring athletes feel valued, not stretched thin.
At Camp Point, 80% of football players compete in at least one other sport, yet the Panthers still fielded a top-tier 1A team in 2023, averaging 38 points per game. Dixon’s coordination makes this possible.
Accountability Without Burnout
Dixon doesn’t micromanage attendance. With 47 weeks of year-round training, he trusts his players’ commitment. “If you’re in town, you’re at workouts,” he says, and his athletes deliver. A missed day or vacation doesn’t derail progress—mutual respect, not fear, drives accountability. This aligns with Andrew DiDonato’s vision-driven culture at Grove City, where trust fuels long-term growth.
Reflection Questions for Your Program
Dixon’s model challenges coaches to rethink summer demands. Ask yourself:
- What are you asking of players, and what value are you giving back?
- Are you respecting their time and non-football commitments?
- Do your sessions target your team’s actual needs?
- Could fewer, sharper sessions get the same results?
- Are your activities building culture?
- Do they welcome newcomers while re-engaging veterans?
- Are you collaborating with other sport coaches, or forcing kids to choose?
- Is accountability rooted in fear or mutual respect?
Why It Works
Dixon’s schedule isn’t just efficient—it’s transformative. By focusing on simplicity, trust, and development, he’s built a program that wins (four straight playoff appearances, 2020–2023) while keeping players fresh and engaged. His approach offers a blueprint for any coach aiming to balance performance with well-being, especially in small schools or multi-sport environments.